Resources for Children and Families

Resources for Children and Families Related to Covid-19

Governor Lamont and DCF Commissioner Dorantes have launched the “When it Builds Up, Talk it Out” campaign. Talk It Out Flyer

Public service announcements can be viewed at: TalkITOutCT.com TV PSA as well as radio: TalkItOutCt.com Radio PSA

Parents who wish to access supports are invited to call 833-258-5011 and speak with trained professionals who will listen and speak with them about their concerns and, if additional help is needed, refer them to responsive services. They can also utilize their phones to visit www.talkitoutct.com and click on the link to be connected to the same caring professionals.

The “Talk It Out Line” is available Monday through Friday from 8 am to 8 pm and on weekends from 1 pm to 8 pm and has both English and Spanish capacity.

Family Activity Resource List from USI’s Parenting Support Services Program

Monterey Bay Aquarium

https://www.montereybayaquarium.org/animals/animals-a-to-z/garibaldi?gclid=EAIaIQobChMIlMT9qv_s6AIVxICfCh1_ygRfEAAYASAAEgIU4PD_BwE

Cosmic Kids YOGA

https://www.youtube.com/user/CosmicKidsYoga

Cincinnati Zoo

https://kidszoo.org/?gclid=EAIaIQobChMIg-qkgYDt6AIVJgiICR0ceAkdEAAYAiAAEgImhvD_BwE

Mo Willems

https://www.kennedy-center.org/education/mo-willems/

Art for Kids Hub

https://www.youtube.com/user/ArtforKidsHub

Story time from space

https://storytimefromspace.com/

https://www.youtube.com/barnesandnoble

MUSEUMS:

https://naturalhistory.si.edu/visit/virtual-tour

https://www.kohlchildrensmuseum.org/home-zone-steam-childrens-museum-activities-for-home/

Basic Uncooked Playdough

Materials

Bowl
1 cup cold water
1 cup salt
2 teaspoons vegetable oil
Tempera paint or food coloring
3 cups flour
2 tablespoons cornstarch

Directions

In bowl, mix water, salt, oil, and enough tempera paint or food coloring to make a bright color.
Gradually add flour and cornstarch until the mixture reaches the consistency of bread dough.
Store covered.

How to create an obstacle course at home:

Step 1

Gather any or all of these supplies: empty paper towel rolls or toilet paper rolls, a bouncy ball, flashcards, a kitchen spoon or ladle, kitchen tongs, a bucket or other large cup, pillows or couch cushions, a sheet or blanket, alphabet magnets, coins, dice, marbles, junky toys you get in a party goodie bag, a spinner from a board game, a toy that rolls (like a car, bus, or doll stroller), a bandanna or scarf, tape or yarn, and a book.

Step 2

Map out some space for your course—it doesn’t have to be a lot! Place a piece of tape, or a piece of yarn, at the “starting line.”

Step 3

Pick a silly move your kid can do at the starting line to begin the obstacle course. A few ideas: strike a pose, do a dance, do three jumping jacks, spin around three times, pretend to be a certain animal—you get the idea.

Step 4

Decide on some fun ways that your kid can get from obstacle to obstacle. A few ideas: crab walk, bear walk, slither like a snake, walk backwards, walk sideways, dance, walk with eyes closed, walk with a book on her head, and so on.

Step 5

Set up some bigger physical obstacles. A few ideas: Drape a sheet between two chairs, where your child has to crawl under or limbo under. Pile some pillows that your kid has to “mountain climb” over. Put a small bouncy ball on the floor, which your kid has to pick it up with her toes and drop it into a paper towel roll suspended above a bucket. Place a toy that rolls at one station and have your kid push it with his nose to the next station. Have your kid push the bouncy ball with her nose across the floor into the paper towel roll (tape it down so it doesn’t move).

Step 6

Mix the larger physical obstacles with smaller ones for fine motor skills. A few ideas: Pile some marbles or junky party favor toys on the floor next to some tongs or a ladle. Now, at this station, your child must transport each toy or marble, using the ladle or tongs, to a bucket or bowl at the next station. Make it more complicated by having him/ her wear a blindfold. Or, set up a jar of alphabet flashcards or magnets and have him/her reach in, pick one, and say a word that begins with that letter before she can move on.

Step 7

Personalize these ideas for your kid. Are you trying to work on numbers? Use a spinner from a board game at one station—he/she has to spin it and count to that number or do that station a certain number of times. while blindfolded. Does she need to work on her handwriting? Have one station with letters to trace on paper.

The idea is to make a course suited best for your child. If all you want is to burn energy because you’re trapped inside make every station about spinning, crab walking, climbing, and doing jumping jacks. A good way to tire them out is to make a station where a task is repeated over and over, like having them roll a pair of dice and do a certain move that number of times, or move a pile of something back and forth. If you have small hand weights at home, use them! Your kid will be thrilled to get to use grown-up equipment in the game. Enjoy. Most importantly enjoy participating with your child.

A final tip: Make sure you time how long it takes your child to do the course, because when she finishes it, you can say, “Great! Do you think you can beat your time?”

Have fun!!!!!